I’m falling apart, says Briton Shaker Aamer held in Guantanamo

The last British resident detained at Guantanamo Bay today told how he is close to breaking point and is “losing” his mind after being held at the camp for more than 11 years.

Shaker Aamer, who has been cleared for release on two occasions, said he is “falling apart”.

The 47-year-old from Battersea, who has never been tried or charged with any crime, demanded justice, saying his “heart is aching” and told how he longed to be reunited with his wife and four children.

Aamer, who spoke to BBC 5Live through his lawyer Clive Stafford-Smith, has been on hunger strike since mid-February. He said: “I am falling apart like an old car, the engine is going.”

The Saudi national was taken to the US detention centre in 2002 under suspicion of recruiting and financing for al Qaeda on the day that his youngest child was born. He said: “I have never met my youngest child and I have missed my other three lovely children for 11 years. I have missed my wife for 11 years, I have missed my life for 11 years.”

He believes he will be released, but added: “I fear when my children call me daddy I will not respond, I only know to respond to detainee 239. I’m not begging for help, I only demand justice.”